So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up to the Cross his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to
tumble; and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.
Then was Christian glad saying with a merry heart, "He hath given me rest by his sorrow, And life by his death." - Pilgrims Progress

Sunday, December 17, 2006

It's a Wonderful Life ....a classic film

This story, which I got to watch for probably the 100th time, was once again on TV tonight.

Most people know the story starring Jimmy Stewart, as George Bailey, who after having his world cave in on him, contemplates suicide but ends up meeting an Angel, by the name of Clarence, who allows George to see what his world would be like if he had never been born...of how lives he has touched, would be so very different.

Usually as I watch this film I always find myself pondering on my own life and wondering if I had made a difference in anyone's life for the better: I think that comes with age.

My thoughts were taken this time though to the Life of Jesus, pondering on his birth we celebrate at this Christmas season, his life as a baby, and his controversial years in ministry, when he was hated by so many he walked among, ....

And instead of wondering what it would be like if I hadn't been born, like our friend George Bailey, I wondered what it would be like if Jesus had never taken on flesh and come down from on high to be born as a helpless baby 2000 years ago, all to save mankind, to take our place on that cross, and bleed and die for us, offering the one and only perfect sacrifice, himself, for sinful men, and women;...that's you and me, by the way.

I can't imagine, and don't want to think about what my life would be like today without Jesus.

I also pondered tonight while watching that film, what Mary's life was like...what she thought during those months while carrying the Son of God. And what she must have pondered on during the next 33 years, watching him stumble and fall as a young child, grow into a teen, work along side Joseph in the carpentry shop, enter into His ministry, be loved by a few and hated by others...and ultimately die on that cross.

Mary did you knowThat your baby boyWill give sight to a blind man?Mary did you knowThat your baby boyWill calm the storm with his hand?Did you know that your baby boyHas walked where angels trod?When you kiss your little babyYou've kissed the face of God.The blind will seeThe deaf will hearThe dead will live againThe lame will leapThe dumb will speakThe praises of the Lamb

Mary did you knowThat your baby boyIs Lord of all creation?Mary did you knowThat your baby boyWill one day rule the nations?Did you knowThat your baby boyIs heaven's perfect Lamb?This sleeping child you're holdingIs the Great I Am